42 U.S. Code § 16371 - Program authority

The Secretary shall carry out a program under this part of research, development, demonstration, and commercial application of technologies for ultra-deepwater and unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production, including addressing the technology challenges for small producers, safe operations, and environmental mitigation (including reduction of greenhouse gas emissions and sequestration of carbon).

(b) Program elements

The program under this part shall address the following areas, including improving safety and minimizing environmental impacts of activities within each area:

(1)Ultra-deepwater architecture and technology, including drilling to formations in the Outer Continental Shelf to depths greater than 15,000 feet.

(2)Unconventional natural gas and other petroleum resource exploration and production technology.

(3)The technology challenges of small producers.

(4)Complementary research performed by the National Energy Technology Laboratory for the Department.

(c) Limitation on location of field activities

Field activities under the program under this part shall be carried out only—

(1)in—

(A)areas in the territorial waters of the United States not under any Outer Continental Shelf moratorium as of September 30, 2002;

(B)areas onshore in the United States on public land administered by the Secretary of the Interior available for oil and gas leasing, where consistent with applicable law and land use plans; and

(C)areas onshore in the United States on State or private land, subject to applicable law; and

(2)with the approval of the appropriate Federal or State land management agency or private land owner.

(d) Activities at the National Energy Technology Laboratory

The Secretary, through the National Energy Technology Laboratory, shall carry out a program of research and other activities complementary to and supportive of the research programs under subsection (b).

(e) Consultation with Secretary of the Interior

In carrying out this part, the Secretary shall consult regularly with the Secretary of the Interior.